New FamilySearch API is Down

It was noticed around 5:00 p.m. MST that the new FamilySearch API appears to be down. You are able to login to the http://new.familysearch.org website - but not through a third party product.  Trying to access NFS through Ancestral Quest, Legacy and RootsMagic return either a 401 error or invalid login message.  Third party products access NFS through the API which uses a different portal than what users access through the website.

No word from FamilySearch on how long the API will be down.

Mark Your Calendars - UVTAGG Meeting! (Formerly UVPAFUG)

UTAH VALLEY TECHNOLOGY AND GENEALOGY GROUP MEETING (UVTAGG)


The next regular, second-Saturday-of-the-month meeting of the Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group - UVTAGG (Formerly the Utah Valley PAF Users Group - UVPAFUG) will be on Saturday, 9 Jul 2011, from 9 am to noon in the LDS "Red Chapel", 4050 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo. Information about the Group, main presentations, classes, and class notes are available on their website http://uvtagg.org and the press releases are at http://blog.uvpafug.org/ . With the organization's name change, these URL's will also be changed eventually.

The main presentation for this meeting will be by David E. Rencher on FAMILYSEARCH PRODUCTS AND FEATURES. FamilySearch continues to make a wide variety of products and services available to genealogists throughout the world. This presentation highlights the many uses of these new products from the view of the Chief Genealogical Officer at FamilySearch. 


David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA, is employed by the Family History Department in Salt Lake City as the Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch. A professional genealogist since 1977, he is an Accredited GenealogistCM with ICAPGenSM in Ireland research and a Certified GenealogistSM with the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. He is the Irish course coordinator and instructor for the Samford University Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR) in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a BA in Family and Local History. He is a past-president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 1997-2000, a national genealogical society umbrella organization, a past-president of the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) 1993-1995 and a Fellow of that organization. He is a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London and is a vice-president of the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU). He is currently serving as the Chair of the joint Federation of Genealogical Societies and National Genealogical Society committee for Record Preservation and Access and serves as the Secretary for the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and as trustee for the Umpstead, Jr. and Elizabeth Jemima Philpott Rencher and the Winslow Farr, Sr. Family Organizations. There is further information about him online at http://www.apgen.org/directory/search_detail.html?mbr_id=176 .

Following the main presentation there will be several classes about family history and technology with something for everyone at any level of expertise. The teachers and classes presently scheduled for this meeting are as follows: 

1. Research at BYU: the Other FHL - 5 Levels, 3 Wings, and Online Resources, by Laurie Castillo
2. MAC: Cemeteries, OSX Tips, and Reunion Reports, by Ron Snowden
3. Personalized Help, by Don Engstrom & Finn Hansen
4. Q&A: FamilySearch Products and Features, by David E. Rencher
5. Video of last month's main presentation: Finding and Analyzing Collections of Personal Letters - Erastus Snow, by Don and Diane Snow
6. Ancestral Quest, by Gaylon Findlay
7. Legacy 7.5, by Joel Graham
8. RootsMagic 4, by Bruce Buzbee.

All meetings of the Group are open to the public whether members of the Group or not. The Users Group has the goal of helping individuals use technology to further their family history and there are usually 100-125 attending the monthly meetings on the second Saturdays. The officers are Gerhard Ruf, President; Laurie Castillo, 1st VP; Don Snow, 2nd VP; Liz Kennington, Newsletter Editor; Kay Baker, Gerry Eliason, and Don Engstrom working with finances and membership; and Bruce Merrill and Marie Andersen, working with the DVD Library. Several of these will be there to answer questions, help with membership, distribute the current issue of the monthly newsletter, and check out DVDs of past presentations and classes to members of the group. Information about the Group, presentations, classes, and class notes can be found at the websites mentioned above. For further information contact President Gerhard Ruf at pres@uvpafug.org (801-225-6106) or 1st VP Laurie Castillo atlaurie@everythingisrelative.net, or 2nd VP Don Snow at snowd@math.byu.edu.

Merge & Split PDF Files

There are numerous free programs out there that will let you create a PDF.  I use the PrimoPDF creator and have been very happy with it.  The one thing I have wished for the free PDF creators to offer is the ability to combine two separate PDF documents together.  I was in need of this service tonight and stumbled upon a free website that will combine your PDF documents together.  The site is Merge PDF.

The website description is:

This service enables you to combine PDF documents into a single one, free of charge. All you need to do is select the PDF documents that you want to merge together on your computer and click a button, as instructed step-by-step below. If you like our free service, please consider a donation.

I was pleasantly surprised how easy it is to upload your PDFs and then have it combined into one PDF file.  Just two steps - Upload, then Merge. The merge just took seconds to complete.  You simply download the PDF to your computer and you're all done. The PDF looks great.

While looking at the website I noticed another service - Split PDF.

The website description is:

This service enables you to split PDF documents free of charge. All you need to do is select the PDF document that you want to split up on your computer, specify the desired page range, and click a button, as instructed step-by-step below. If you like our free services, please consider a donation.

I haven't tried splitting a PDF yet, but when I need to I will test out this service. 

Information about the merge and split process and notable limitations:

• The maximum total size of all uploaded files for merge is 50MB.
• All files are removed after a merge is completed, or within an hour of inactivity.
• Optionally a user can keep files in store for further merging, by checking Retain files (in the Merge Dialog). The one hour limit still applies, where all uploaded files are removed within an hour of inactivity.

Merge PDF and Split PDF are services provided by FoxyUtils.  You can get to both services by going to: http://foxyutils.com/home/services/

Between these two sites all my PDF needs have been met.  I think a donation is now in order.

See ya tomorrow, for tomorrow is always another genealogy day!

New UGA - Summer Family History Conference

The first Annual UGA Summer Family History Conference will be held on August 19-20, 2011 at the Larry H. Miller Campus of the Salt Lake Community College, 9750 South 300 West, Sandy, Utah 84070.

The two-day conference features over 140 classes in 13 tracks for a maximum experience for everyone from a beginning genealogist to a seasoned professional.

Chair of the Conference is Kathy Palmer, UGA Board Member and chair of several former South Davis Family History Center Fairs. Now in an expanded format and sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association, the Conference is expected to attract 1000+ participants.

Registration is now open at a very reasonable $20.00 for the entire conference ($15.00 for current UGA members) and there is also an option to either join or extend your UGA membership at a 40% reduced rate of $25.00 for one year.

EARLY REGISTRATION PRICES THROUGH JULY 31, 2011
There are two registration options for the UGA Summer Conference:

• You can register for the Conference classes only. Registration costs $20.00 with a $5.00 discount given to current UGA members. All registration includes the syllabus on CD.
• You can register for the Conference classes AND ALSO either join or renew your UGA membership at the same time. Membership will be for 12 months or your membership will be extended 12 months if you are a current member. By adding the membership option to your conference registration, you will receive a $10.00 discount on the normal price of your membership. Total price for conference classes + membership is $45.00 for those not currently members of UGA or $40.00 for current members.

Register at: http://www.ugagenealogy.org/aem.php?lv=t&eid=13

Records of Britain's everyday heroes go online at findmypast.co.uk for the first time

The following is from FindMyPast.

RECORDS OF BRITAIN’S EVERYDAY HEROES GO ONLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME

• Over half a million records covering 100 years of the militia - the forerunner of The British Territorial Army - published online
• Records provide unique descriptions of what your ancestors actually looked like
• Everyday workers including butchers and bakers fighting for their country
• The British militia was recruited from all over the world 

Leading family history website, www.findmypast.co.uk has published the records of over half a million men who served in the British militia, the precursor to the UK’s Territorial Army. The Militia Service Records, covering 1806 to 1915, have been made available online for the first time to coincide with British Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

The records colourfully portray what the British militia looked like, detailing the height, weight, chest size, complexion, eye colour, hair colour and distinctive marks of each recruit. Arthur Wilson’s distinguishing marks included an acrobat and dots tattooed on his left forearm. Similarly, Albert Smith, born in India, was recorded as having teeth that were ‘defective but enough for mastication’.

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager at www.findmypast.co.uk , comments: “These records provide rich insight into our past and show how the everyday man, such as your local shopkeeper, found himself fighting for his country. In the absence of photographs, these records can help you imagine what your ancestors looked like, containing details which are largely unavailable elsewhere. Our easy to use website means you can unearth even more fascinating and detailed information about your ancestors at the click of a mouse.”

Like today’s Territorial Army, the militia was made up of men who held everyday jobs, but took part in military exercises and on occasions fought for their country. In the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, these typically included shoemakers, woodchoppers, butchers, bakers, coal miners and millers.

Charles Godfrey, for example, was a butcher for a Mr Debron in Oxford. Born in the Parish of Botley, Berkshire, Godfrey volunteered for the militia on 25^th July 1887 aged 18. Charles served with the 3^rdBattalion Royal Berkshire Regiment and was recorded as being five feet four inches tall with steel grey eyes.

William Spencer, Principal Military Records Specialist at The National Archives, commented:“It took a certain kind of individual to leave a day job as a blacksmith, labourer or barman and enlist as a part time soldier in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Although the majority never left British shores, many saw active service with the regular army in places such as South Africa during the Second Boer War. Like its modern equivalent, the Territorial Army, the pre-WWI militia offered a way for former soldiers to continue serving their country and civilians a chance to leave humdrum jobs, earn extra money and enjoy the comradeship such services had to offer.”

The Militia Service Records are the only set of their kind available online and have been published in association with The National Archives and in partnership with FamilySearch. The records show that the soldiers who made up the militia during that period hailed not only from the UK itself, but also from around the world. Some recruits had been born in Italy, Ceylon, South Africa and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

David Rencher, Chief Genealogy Officer at FamilySearch added: “The publication of the Militia Service Records fills another critical gap in the family historian’s toolkit. The digitisation and indexing of this rich collection will make it easy to find the regiment an ancestor served with and also when and where he was born. Family historians will quickly realise the value of this information, particularly when the record of an ancestor’s birth has been elusive or impossible to find elsewhere.”

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Armed Forces Day

The release coincides with Armed Forces Day which is taking place on Saturday, 25 June 2011.

The day aims to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, It also gives the nation an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets. In 2011 the National Event will be held in Edinburgh, but there are many more events up and down the country being held in support of Armed Forces Day.

Full list of places of birth as recorded in the Militia Service Records:

Africa

Australia

Canada

Channel Islands

East Indies

England

Spain

France

Germany

Gibraltar

Greece

India

Isle of Man

Ireland

Italy

Ceylon

Malta

New Zealand

Russia

South America

Scotland

At sea

West Indies

Wales

About findmypast.co.uk

Leading UK family history website findmypast.co.uk (formerly 1837online.com) was the first company to make the complete birth, marriage and death indexes for England & Wales available online in April 2003.

Following the transcription, scanning and indexing of over two million images, the company launched the first website to allow the public easy and fast access to the complete indexes, which until then had only been available on microfiche film in specialist archives and libraries. The launch was instrumental in creating the widespread and growing interest in genealogy seen in the UK today.

Findmypast.co.uk has subsequently digitised many more family history records and now offers access to over 750 million records dating as far back as 1200. This allows family historians and novice genealogists to search for their ancestors among comprehensive collections of military records, census, migration, occupation directories, and current electoral roll data, as well as the original comprehensive birth, marriage and death records.

In November 2006 findmypast.co.uk launched the ancestorsonboard.com microsite in association with The National Archives to publish outbound passenger lists for long-distance voyages departing all British ports between 1890 and 1960.

In April 2007, findmypast.co.uk’s then parent company Title Research Group received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2007 in recognition of their achievement.

Findmypast.co.uk was acquired in December 2007 by brightsolid, the company who were awarded The National Archives’ contract to publish online the 1911 census, which it launched in January 2009.

In 2010 in association with The National Archives findmypast.co.uk launched the British Army Service Records 1760 - 1913.

About The National Archives
The National Archives, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, is a government department and an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). As the official archives of the UK government, it cares for, makes available and ‘brings alive’ a vast collection of over 1000 years of historical records, including the treasured Domesday Book.

Not only safeguarding historical information, The National Archives also manages current digital information and devises new technological solutions for keeping government records readable now and in the future. It provides world class research facilities and expert advice, publishes all UK legislation and official publications, and is a leading advocate for the archive sector.

At the heart of information policy, The National Archives sets standards of best practice that actively promotes and encourages public access to, and the re-use of information, both online or onsite at Kew.This work helps inform today’s decisions and ensures that they become tomorrow’s permanent record.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organisation in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. For over 100 years, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide and operates over 4,500 family history centres in 70 countries, including the renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

About the findmypast.co.uk and FamilySearch partnership

In May 2008 UK family history website www.findmypast.co.uk and US based FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) announced the start of their new partnership after The National Archives awarded them the licence to digitise and make available the ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ service records 1760 - 1913, the Militia attestation papers 1806 – 1915 and the Merchant Seamen’s collection of records. The Militia Service Records is the second major project that they have completed together and made available online.

Findmypast.co.uk created indexes and transcriptions to enable members of the public to easily search the records online, while FamilySearch was responsible for the scanning programme of the historical records on site at The National Archives.

Genes Reunited launch a new tailored subscription service

The following is from Genes Reunited.

Family history enthusiasts no longer have to pay for record sets they don’t use

Genes Reunited, one of the UK’s leading genealogy websites, today launches a set of new payment options that will enable users to tailor their subscription to the record sets they wish to use. 

The choice of additional features will mean that members no longer have to pay one lump sum for access to records they have no use for; instead members will now be able to create their own package by adding the record sets they want to use.* 

Initially the additional records package will include a collection of migration records, including passenger lists, passport applications and Indian records, with further record sets being added over the coming months. 

Genes Reunited provides easy, online access to over 750 million records dating as far back as 1761. This allows family historians and novice genealogists to search for their ancestors among comprehensive collections of military records, census records, migration data, as well as the original comprehensive birth, marriage and death records. 

Rhoda Breakell, Head of Genesreunited.co.uk, says: “The new additional features system will enable members to have more flexibility when researching their family history, without being charged for records that are not relevant to them.  Our new packages will make things even easier for family history enthusiasts and at a lower cost to our users.”         

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*Initial ‘Travel and Overseas’ additional feature package will be priced at £14.95 for 12 months and is available to those who upgrade to the platinum package. Platinum membership currently costs £6.67 per month on a 12-month subscription.

About Genes Reunited

Genes Reunited was launched in 2003 as a sister-site to the Internet phenomenon Friends Reunited. Since then it has grown to become the UK’s largest genealogy website.

It marked a revolution in genealogy and ancestry by combining them with Internet social-networking. Members are able to build their family tree by posting it on the site and investigating which ancestors they share with other members. They can also search historical records such as census, birth, death, marriage and military records.

Genes has over 11 million members and over 750 million names listed. One new name is added to the site every single second.

FamilySearch News: FamilySearch's Todd Knowles Recognized for Contributions to Jewish Genealogy

The following is from FamilySearch.

22 June 2011

FamilySearch’s Todd Knowles Recognized for Contributions to Jewish Genealogy

Todd Knowles, a FamilySearch British reference consultant and Jewish genealogy specialist who works in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, was recently added to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain’s Roll of Honour at their annual meeting in London. Knowles was recognized for his distinguished service in the development and publication of resources relating to the Jews of the British Isles. His free online database (search the Knowles Collection) contains linked and sourced entries for more than 100,000 Jews from the British Isles and over 100,000 Jews from other parts of the world. The online collection provides invaluable information for those researching their Jewish ancestors.

Knowles received the award from Mark Nicholls, chairman of the society. Knowles is the 15th recipient of the distinguished award in the 20-year history of the society. His name will be listed in the West London Synagogue on a wall plaque with previous recipients.

Knowles was surprised by the award and deeply honored. “To be recognized by the people I  love so much and respect is overwhelming. The [Knowles] collection started out as my way to get in touch with my ancestry—to learn more about who I am. I continue to be amazed at how it is quickly growing into a large collection representing Jewish communities worldwide,” commented Knowles.

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources freeonline at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in SaltLake City, Utah.

BYU 43rd Annual Conference on Family History

The following is from FamilySearch.

June 21, 2011

BYU 43rd Annual Conference on Family History

Dear Family History Consultant,

The 43rd annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy will be held from July 26 to July 29, 2011, at the BYU Conference Center and will feature more than 100 classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced participants. This year’s theme focuses on building and strengthening your family ties through family history and genealogy.

Our keynote speakers this year include Dennis E. Simmons, currently serving as the president of the Family and Church History Mission; D. Joshua Taylor, director of education and programs at the New England Historic Genealogical Society; and Ransom H. Love, director of strategic relationships for FamilySearch.

Instruction Topics Include:

·         New Family Search

·         Family Search

·         Research Methods

·         Using computers, Internet, and Technology

·         British Research

·         Computer Tools (Hands-on Workshop)

·         Church Records Worldwide

·         Writing Family Histories

·         United States Research

·         International Research

·         Scandinavian and German Research

Family history consultants will receive a $25.00 discount on general registration. Register today by calling 1-877-221-6716.

Click on the link below for further details:

http://byucemedia.org/emailBlast/cwgen/email.html

Sincerely, 

FamilySearch                              

FamilySearch Records Update 21 June 2011: FamilySearch Adds Free Records for 10 Countries

The following is from FamilySearch.

FamilySearch Adds Free Records for 10 Countries

U.S. collections added for Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin
22 Twenty-two collections for 10 countries were updated recently at FamilySearch.org. The Germany and Mexico church records were the two largest collections added. Collections were also added for Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. See the list below for more details. See the records online now at FamilySearch.org.

Collection	Records	Images	Comments
Brazil, Catholic Church Records, 1835–1966	0	135,859	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Canada, Ontario, Toronto Trust Cemeteries, 1826–1935	14,864	7,234	New index collection.
Canada, Quebec Notarial Records, 1800–1900	0	12,313	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Canada, Saskatchewan Provincial Records	0	70,184	New browsable image collection. Homestead files for 1908.
Germany, Brandenburg and Posen, Church Book Duplicates, 1794–1874	1,503,247	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Guatemala Civil Registration, 1877–1934	0	252,037	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Italy, Civil Registration, 1806–1940	0	682,186	Added browsable images to existing collection for Bologna, Catania, Genova, Padova, and Teramo.
Mexico, Michoacán, Catholic Church Records(1649–1909)	0	2,290,550	New browsable image collection.
Norway Census, 1875	80,729	0	Added index records to existing collection.
Sweden, Örebro Church Records, 1641–1860	12,977	679	Added index records to existing collection. Images available on external website.
Sweden, Södermanland Church Records, 1640–1860	47,948	3,574	Added index records to existing collection. Images available on external website.
Sweden, Uppsala Church Records, 1613–1860	46,251	2,639	Added index records to existing collection. Images available on external website.
U.S. Social Security Death Index	456,064	0	Added records to existing collection. Current to 30 April 2011.
U.S., Iowa, County Marriages, 1838–1934	131,790	0	New index collection.
U.S., Indiana, Marriages, 1811–1959	37,751	0	Added indexed records to existing collection.
U.S., Louisiana, First Registration Draft Cards, compiled 1940–1945	87,522	0	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Ohio Tax Records, 1800–1850	640,167	170	New index collection.
U.S., Vermont, Vital Records, 1760–1954	259,950	393,556	Added index records and images to existing collection.
U.S., Vermont, Windham County, Westminster District, Probate Records, 1781–1921	0	21,168	New browsable image collection.
U.S., Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907–1933	0	1,478	Added browsable images to existing collection.
U.S., Wisconsin, Probate Estate Files, 1848–1933	0	58,375	Added browsable images to existing collection.
Wales, Probate Abstracts, 1773–1780	0	15,135	Added browsable images to existing collection.

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.